5.3 LM7 into 87 El Camino
#1
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hello all, going to list what I have and plan on doing and ask for input.
I am not new to building things or reworking them, but relying more on the bolt on side this time vs making it all myself.
Project car is a 1987 El Camino wth a 305/200R4 setup. Have a BGN 8.5 rear in it now with 3.42 posi![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Engine (in hand) is a 2002 5.3 with the 4L60E tranny with all the wiring and misc off the doner truck.
Looks to be an easy swap vs some hoses and gauge work as I have the factory tach and all in the elky. Mounts are a bolt on from many sources.
Same for the harness, found many who will reprogram the ECM and do the harness for stand alone. I do plan on going with electric fans.
Even the fuel system is not hard (cept hoses) as I can get a aftermarket tank for EFI and drop a FI pickup right in![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Other upgrades will include a 4 wheel SSBC upgrade all around and I have BMR and Hotchkiss A-Arms for the front B spindles already.
Engine mods before installation will include porting the TB and a cam. Exhaust will be a single 3 inch with a HF cat.
Any thoughts or recomdations are welcome.
FB
I am not new to building things or reworking them, but relying more on the bolt on side this time vs making it all myself.
Project car is a 1987 El Camino wth a 305/200R4 setup. Have a BGN 8.5 rear in it now with 3.42 posi
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Engine (in hand) is a 2002 5.3 with the 4L60E tranny with all the wiring and misc off the doner truck.
Looks to be an easy swap vs some hoses and gauge work as I have the factory tach and all in the elky. Mounts are a bolt on from many sources.
Same for the harness, found many who will reprogram the ECM and do the harness for stand alone. I do plan on going with electric fans.
Even the fuel system is not hard (cept hoses) as I can get a aftermarket tank for EFI and drop a FI pickup right in
![Grin](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_grin.gif)
Other upgrades will include a 4 wheel SSBC upgrade all around and I have BMR and Hotchkiss A-Arms for the front B spindles already.
Engine mods before installation will include porting the TB and a cam. Exhaust will be a single 3 inch with a HF cat.
Any thoughts or recomdations are welcome.
FB
#2
#4
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just thought I'd say the swap is well worth it, I'm getting 23 to a gallon average, i do a fair bit of highway driving though. good luck, Whats in the camino now? the 305?
#5
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yep, a 305 with a 200R4. Not a bad combo but 160 HP sucks. Still gets decent MPG even with the 3.42 rear.
400k and doesn't use a drop of oil!!
Love the G bodys. Looks like I will take the front clip off since I have the entire front end to do. Don't want to move pumps and such so parts will always be easy to find.
FB
400k and doesn't use a drop of oil!!
Love the G bodys. Looks like I will take the front clip off since I have the entire front end to do. Don't want to move pumps and such so parts will always be easy to find.
FB
#6
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
i have an 80 and wish i had the 82 and up front end, i got some parts for the change but still need more parts. i like the g-bodies too, i want to take mine in a pro-touring direction, leaving the ls1 mostly stock and just upgrade the suspension. the whole rear end on mine is rotted out though, body and frame are full of holes.
the 305 i ripped out had over 500K, it burned some oil though, probably when i took it over 5500 rpm to keep up with my friends neon lol, makes me hate 305's even more when i think of that.
the 305 i ripped out had over 500K, it burned some oil though, probably when i took it over 5500 rpm to keep up with my friends neon lol, makes me hate 305's even more when i think of that.
Trending Topics
#8